How to Grow Chervil
Chervil At a Glance
Difficulty
Moderate
Category
Herb
Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial Shade
Frost Tolerance
Frost Tender
Cold Hardiness
Survives to -9°C
Plant Family
Apiaceae
Growing Season
Cool Season
Plant Lifecycle
Annual
How to Start It
★ Recommended for beginners
Chervil likes cool weather, so sow it about 2 weeks before your last spring frost, in a spot with afternoon shade. Scatter the seeds and barely cover them, no deeper than 0.5 cm, because they need some light to sprout. They come up in 10 to 14 days: thin them (pull the extras so each has room) to about 15 cm apart, and sow again every 3 to 4 weeks for a steady supply.
Chervil has one long main root and hates being moved, so sow it where it will grow rather than starting it indoors. In heat and full sun it bolts (rushes to flower and turns bitter), so spring and late summer sowings do best. Let a few plants flower and it often sows itself for next year.
When To Start
Sow outside
From 2 weeks before to 1 weeks after your last spring frost
Add where you grow and these become your own dates.
Your Chervil Calendar
Set your location to turn these into exact dates and reminders.
Sow chervil outdoors in a cool, shady spot
2 weeks before your last frost· every year
Pick chervil leaves young, before it flowers
40 days after your last frost· every year· optional
Keep the soil damp until the seedlings are up and growing. Water gently if the top feels dry.
About 1 days after you plant it
Time to thin: snip the extra seedlings at soil level so each one has room to grow.
About 24 days after you plant it
Hello from your chervil! Keep it in part shade and the soil moist so it stays leafy.
About 34 days after you plant it
Your chervil should be ready to snip. Cut the outer leaves first and leave the centre to keep growing.
About 54 days after you plant it
Picking time may be here: have a look at what's ready.
About 60 days after you plant it
The Journey Ahead
Chervil's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Expect sprouts in 10–14 days
Growing Tips
- 1Give chervil morning sun and afternoon shade, or bright shade under taller plants.
- 2Mix compost into the soil before sowing so it stays loose and holds moisture.
- 3Keep the soil evenly moist, since dry soil makes chervil bolt (rush to flower and turn bitter).
- 4Feed with compost tea once a month if you are cutting it often.
- 5Rinse off aphids with a spray of water, and thin crowded seedlings so air moves between them.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
~60
Days to Maturity
30 cm
Mature Height
30 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
Harvest Window
21 days
When to Pick
Cut leaves as needed before flowering
How to Harvest
- 1Start picking about 6 to 8 weeks after sowing, once the plants are about 10 cm tall.
- 2Cut the outer leaves near the base with scissors and leave the centre to keep growing.
- 3Pinch off flower stems as soon as they appear to keep the leaves coming longer.
- 4Use chervil fresh and add it at the end of cooking, because heat and drying take away its soft anise flavour.
- 5Keep cut stems in a glass of water in the fridge for a few days, or chop and freeze them in a little water.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
How to Save Seeds
Chervil flowers and makes seed in its first season, and the seeds come true as long as only one variety flowers nearby. Let a few strong plants flower, and wait until the long, thin seeds turn dark brown. Cut the seed heads into a paper bag, let them dry for a week, then shake the seeds loose and pick out the stems. Store them labelled in a cool, dark, dry place, but sow them within 1 to 2 years, since chervil seed does not keep long. You can also let the plants drop their seed where they stand for a free crop next spring.
Seed Production
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